How to Kill Desert Mistletoe
Desert mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum) grows on palo, ironwood, Acacia and mesquite trees across the southwestern United States. A parasitic plant, the desert mistletoe depends on the tree for its nutrients and water. Over time, the desert mistletoe plant will weaken the tree and may cause its death. An infected tree will exhibit aerial shoots that emerge from its branches. The aerial shoots of female mistletoe plants produce a flower and berries that contain seeds. The infected tree branch may become twisted or distorted where the mistletoe emerges. The aerial shoots of the mistletoe must be removed to control the parasitic plant. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Break off the emerging aerial shoots on the tree. Discard them. Removing the aerial shoots will weaken the mistletoe and prevent it from forming a large mass. It will also help reduce the spread of the parasitic plant by preventing the female plants from blooming and producing berries. Remove the desert mistletoe's aerial shoots from the tree every two or three years.
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Prune the tree's mistletoe-infested branches away every spring. Cut the branch off 1 foot below the site of infection or remove the entire branch.
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Apply ethefon products (ethylene) to newly emerging desert mistletoe shoots. Follow the directions on the ethefon product's label for application instructions.
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Remove a heavily infested and weakened tree from the landscape. Cutting down and discarding the entire tree will help prevent healthy trees from becoming infected with the desert mistletoe.
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Tips & Warnings
Desert mistletoe is an important food source for birds.
Plant tree types that do not support desert mistletoe.
All trees in an area must be treated for mistletoe or the parasite will re-infest the tree.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
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Comments
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Desert mistletoe is one of the most beautiful plants. Why kill it? Good grief, put it on ebay and sell the plants for Christmas. There is such a high demand for misteltoe here in Illinois. I can't believe that someone would kill one. The stores here sell it for $1 per inch! Look around people, there are business opportunities everywhere!
